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Low Rider Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Judging by her behavior, this little punkin has had a rough life: She was terrified of the outdoors, afraid of coming out of her crate, and reacted to new people by hunkering down on the floor.

Last updated: Oct. 23, 2018

Base Info:

  • Arrival date: Oct. 2, 2018
  • Breed: Beagle mix
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: Young, Adult, Mature, Senior
  • Weight: @ 40 Pounds
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Good
  • Temperament: Timid but friendly
  • Gets Along with Dogs: Yes
  • Gets Along with People: Yes, once she gets to know you.
  • Housebroken/Crate Trained: Crate trained for sure, may be pee-pad trained. At first she didn’t want to go outside, doesn’t know what to do when she got there. She’s learning to like it.
  • Departure date: Oct 12, 2018

History

Low Rider was picked up off the streets of Newport by a good Samaritan who saw her scuttling around, absolutely terrified. This person took her to Animal Control, where she went unclaimed. Steele Away Home pulled her.

Known Issues & Progress

Low Rider is eager for attention and happily wiggles her butt when we approach, but is afraid to go to anyone at first. She was also terrified of outdoors. She would not walk on a leash if a collar was used, but is doing better with a harness. She is already coming out of her shell.

She is overweight, needs a restricted diet to get that under control.

Medical

  • DA2PP: 10/03/2018 (PMFC)
  • Bordatella: 10/03/2018 (PMFC)
  • Wormed: Oct 4, 5, & 6, Fendbendazole: 8 ml (PMFC)
  • Rabies: Oct 5, 2018 (Paws & Claws)
  • Spay/Neuter: Oct 5, 2018 (Paws & Claws)
  • Flea/Tick preventative: Oct 5, Advantage
  • Heartworm preventative: Oct 6, Nu Heart
  • Heartworm Test: Oct 5, 2018 (Paws & Claws) Negative

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales and videos about Low Rider, click those to open the related story or video.

 

Seriously? Don’t you have a harness that fits?

You said “go out in the grass” here is grass.

But I’d rather go back to my room.

Getting loooowwww

Chatting w Callie

Chillin on the porch
.

Meeting the Brotherhood of Beagles
.
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Mya Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Mya is a sweet, affectionate girl.  She is well behaved, in a cattle-dog sort of way.

Last updated: Aug 17, 2018

Base Info:

  • Arrival date: Aug. 4th, 2018
  • Breed: Cattle Dog
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: Youth, Adult, Mature, Senior
  • Weight: 45 pounds
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Excellent
  • Temperament: Energetically affectionate
  • Gets Along with Dogs: Yes
  • Gets Along with People: Yes (including children)
  • Housebroken/Crate Trained: Yes

Known Issues & Progress

While Mya was staying with another foster family, one of their dogs started attacking Mya.  To avoid injury and inciting similar behavior in her, she was moved here.  My job is to be sure she hasn’t been traumatized and keep her safe until transport.

Mya is a cattle dog, so she jumps and nips.  I will work at teaching her to restrain these impulses.  Her former foster family included at least one child: a boy 8-10 years old, who obviously adored Mya.

Commands she knows:

  • Come
  • Sit
  • Sit Pretty
  • In Your Room

 

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom.  Click the thumbnails to enlarge.  Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales about Mya, click those to open the related story or video.

Mya Rides Home (video)
Mya doing some serious Sunday Sniffing (vid)
Special treat on Sunday evening! (vid)
On Monday Mya was ready to PLAY! (vid)
Mya can “Sit Pretty”
Sometimes she cheats
Enjoying her Coolaroo

.
Mya likes high energy play – Buddy does not.
So Mya decides to accommodate Buddy by just hanging with him and strolling.
.

Mitzie Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Mitzie is an Australian Shepherd / Cattle Dog mix rescued from the Mountain City TN Animal Shelter where she was about to be put down. I understand that the manager there called Steele Away Home and said, “PLEASE help me save this one.” One of our fosters drove two hours to pick her up. But once she got Mitzie home, it was obvious that it wasn’t going to work because Mitzie has a high prey drive and was after the cat and the chickens. So, here she is, at Piney Mountain.

Last updated: Aug. 6, 2018

Base Info:

  • Arrival date: July 17, 2018
  • Breed: Australian Shepherd Mix
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: @ 1 year
  • Weight: @50
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Excellent
  • Temperament: High energy when playing, but sweet and attentive, even a little clingy, when calm. Brilliantly smart!
  • Gets Along with Dogs: Defensive-aggressive at first, especially if she is confined and the others are not. Playful and open once she’s settled in. May be too energetic for some small dogs.
  • Gets Along with People: Yes
  • Housebroken/Crate Trained: Yes

History

Surrendered to an animal shelter by her owner because the family was moving.

Transported to A Pathway to Hope on Aug. 3, 2018 for adoption.

Known Issues & Progress

High prey drive: cannot be trusted around cats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, or small wildebeests. This may have been misinterpreted: Mitzie loves to CHASE things, but may not be as focused on killing them as was thought. Still, I advise caution in this area.

High energy, she needs space to run. Walking on a leash is not sufficient all the time. She will walk on a leash, but is accustomed to being able to run.

Mitzie has a routine (hers not mine) of needing to get out in the yard at meal times (we feed at 7:00 am and 6:00 pm) so she can walk or run for 5 to 10 minutes and have a bowel movement. THEN she will return and be ready to eat. If I just give her her dish of kibble, she’ll sniff it, walk away, and refuse to eat until she gets her constitutional.

Mitzie has recovered well from her spay surgery and is again playful and happy.

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales or videos about Mitzie, click those to open the related story.

 

Mitzie
Yes, you may pet me.

Getting used to Rainy

I *like* this bouncy thing!

A first good look at Mitzie (vid)

(Video)

Blondie teaches Mitzie to play nicely.

Mitzie is fussy about toys, but she LIKES this one!

Mitzie and Dani get loud sometimes, but are mostly peaceful.

One last play session for these two friends.
. . .

Callie Roo: Notes on a foster dog

Callie has been through a rough time but is as sweet as can be. Abandoned by her original family, rescued by a kind-hearted soul, then brought to the Humane Society of Jefferson County (now C.A.R.E.), Callie quickly became a staff favorite. Testing positive for heartworms can be a death sentence for a shelter dog: treatment is expensive and requires a calm environment and close supervision, which are not available in most shelters. But this was not to be the case for Callie: the shelter staff made magic happen for her.

Last updated: March 6, 2020

To see what adventures Callie has had since then, Click Here to pull up a list.

Base Info:

  • Date of arrival: December 29th, 2017
  • Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 8 years
  • Weight: Approx 65 pounds
  • Spayed: Yes
  • General Health: Good except for being heartworm positive. Treatment for that is why she’s here at Piney Mountain Foster. That’s our specialty.
    After treatment, she’s doing GREAT!
  • Temperament: Extra sweet, gentle, and loving. A great sense of humor!

History

A good deal of info has been posted to Facebook about Callie and her history. The following is my distillation of those accounts. You may read the original texts in the comments at the bottom of this page.

Callie was originally the family dog of a couple with kids. It appears Callie was kept pregnant much of the time and they sold the puppies. The couple split up and he left, leaving Callie and the kids with her. She claims Callie was his dog, and it seems she took out her feelings about this break-up on Callie, exiling her to existence outside the home.

The Mom and kids went away for 3 weeks, leaving Callie outside with no shelter, food or water. A gentleman who lives nearby took pity on Callie and started leaving food, water, and a blanket for her to lie on outside his door. When he passed away, his son came to clear out the house, found Callie and took her home with him. They fell in love with her.

Callie was pregnant and close to delivering. While Callie seemed gentle and calm, she did snap at the family’s Boston Terrier when he got too close once. The husband feared that their kids might get in the middle of a dog fight if they let her stay and took Callie to the Humane Society of Jefferson County.

H.S.J.C. (now C.A.R.E.) placed Callie with one of their long-time foster homes until Callie’s puppies were delivered and weaned. They had no incidents, indeed they loved her.

Once Callie came back to H.S.J.C. to seek adoption, she tested positive for heartworms. Being a “pit bull”, seven years old, and H.W. positive could have been her “three strikes: you’re out” that would send her to the euthanasia room. But because everyone loved her so much, members of the shelter staff determined to save her. Donors were contacted for the funds needed to pay for her H.W. treatment and Marie and I agreed to foster her through recovery.

This is what rescue is about: people working together, each doing what we can, to save the lives of abandoned or abused furbabies like Callie.

Known Issues & Progress

Callie has obviously littered several times. For all she’s been through, her temperament is surprisingly gentle and trusting.

Callie is heartworm positive, but the test was just slightly positive. We hoped to use a slow-kill method of treatment that will be less risky for an older dog. After seven months of treatment she is still testing positive. Slow kill *can* take up to two YEARS to clear a dog of heartworms. No one wants her to wait that long to find a forever home, so we’re starting the regular heartworm treatment process.

Housebreaking

Both former care-givers say she is already reliably housebroken. We too find this to be the case. No work to do here!

Gets Along With Other Dogs

Yes. She has already met all my dogs, large and small, and she has no trouble with any of them. Even Ricky (who barked menacingly at her when she arrived) has decided she’s a sweetheart and wants to play. Callie never returned menace for menace, generally just retreated and hid.

In the past week Callie has begun engaging in play: mostly with Josephine but sometimes with Blondie and occasionally she’ll try Cochise. She and Josie get pretty rough sometimes, but Josie instigates that.

People Skills

Callie is exceptionally loving, trusting, and affectionate. She likes to snuggle. She’s great with adults and kids. She desperately wants to be with people who will return her love.

A former caretaker’s daughter went to stay with her friend all weekend. When she came home Callie couldn’t stop loving on her and wagging that tail.

For the first couple of weeks, Callie was my shadow. She went everywhere I went: and ONLY where I went. Even when she needed to go outside to relieve herself, she would not leave the porch unless I went out to the yard with her. This was uncomfortable at 2:00 in the morning with me in just my PJs and 20 some-odd degree temps outside. In the last few days she has become comfortable enough to consider herself part of the “gang” and has been running outside with the other dogs, leaving me in the house. She no longer follows me everywhere, including the bathroom, but she does like to know exactly where I am at all times.

Miscellaneous

I have found Callie to be quite bright and eager to please, that makes her easy to train. She has learned our daily routine, and a few commands.

Yesterday I had Callie in the play yard. It was cold. The leash I use to move her from the bunk house to the play yard was looped in one hand as I watched her. When she had taken care of business and wanted to go back where it is warm, she walked up and slipped her head through the loop of the leash and looked up at me, “I’m ready to go in now. May we please go?” What a sweetie! She has since graduated to House Dog.

Callie became a Steele Away Home dog on January 20th because we were concerned about the length of time it was taking to get her treatment started. Slow kill is safe to do only if you catch it early. Julie at HSJC agreed and transferred her to us.

Just as we were ready to begin the Immiticide injections, Cedarwood Veterinary tested her to confirm a HW+ condition and the test came back NEGATIVE. We repeated the test to be sure, but Callie is clear of heartworms! We started her on a monthly preventative to keep her that way and thanked God that she did not have to go through the normal treatment.

Diet

4health Salmon and Potato kibble until March, 2020, then Southern States Naturals Lamb & Rice kibble.

Our peanut butter treats as rewards for compliance.  Other treats include Retriever Beef Basted Sticks and Hartz Oinkies: Chicken

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales about Callie, click those to open the related story.

Callie’s original home: a window well!

Callie says, I LIKE this chair! Taken at a former home.

All snuggled in! Taken at a former home.

The Girls all go on a potty run together. Callie sports her new outer wear that helps ward off the cold.

Callie wants to help edit the video I’m working on.

But she can be bribed with sufficient amounts of cush.

There is a story to go with this: click da pic to read it.

Callie joins the “Around the table gang”

Looking MIGHTY comfortable now!

Callie earns bedroom sleeping privileges.

Yummm … may I have some of THAT?

Oops, BUSTED! No dogs on the sofa, and she knows it. But who could be angry with this face?

Callie and her friend Buddy are ardent sun worshipers.

Callie: Sun Puppy

Callie says, “Ears up girls.” Blondie says, “Okay.” Josie says,”Hey, no fair!”

Weasel Hunter!
(click me video)

“In the Mood” to play (and dance) Video

Who — me? NO, I wasn’t wrestling with this blanket.

Josephine wants to snuggle with Callie.

Callie sitting silly to relax after dinner.

Callie is now a regular rider on trash runs.

“Noooo, don’t stop. I want to ride some MORE!”

Callie makes a new friend at Lowe’s

Looking pretty in her new pink winter coat

Josie is my friend

Belted in and ready to ride

This is a good seat too

With Pascal Robin and Ashley Foster, two of her rescuers.
“Partying with my posse at C.A.R.E.

Napping with The Gang (vid)

Callie defends Josephine from a rambunctious Bear
Callie To the Rescue!

Chillin with Josie in the cabin

Rub my belly!

I love my new ropey toy!

Callie and Rainy peaceably share space at treat time.

Tell me a bedtime story?

I ask, “Who wants to go outside with me”? (vid)

Callie loves her new ropey toy (vid)

Callie LOVES truck-riding! Especially up front.

Callie and Josie are bestest buds!

I have a BOOOONE!

Sitting like a lady

Callie tries negotiating with Rebel.
*
* * *

To see what adventures Callie has had since then, Click Here to pull up a list.

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Daenerys Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Lee at Animal Control gave the name Daenerys (Day-Nare-Is) to this sweet girl. Paige (also at A.C.) says, “She (Daenerys) is an exiled queen in a fictional book series that is trying to overcome the madness surrounded by her family name while trying to take back her kingdom. Quite a fitting name for her I believe

Last updated: Aug. 6, 2018

Base Info:

  • Arrival date: July 07, 2018
  • Breed: Labrador/Husky Mix
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 1 year, maybe less.
  • Weight: 38 pounds
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Excellent
  • Temperament: Mild, almost timid
  • Gets Along with Dogs: Yes
  • Gets Along with People: Yes
  • Housebroken/Crate Trained: No

History

Acquired from Newport Animal Control because they were full and would have to “make room” if a few dogs weren’t pulled by rescue. Nothing else is known about her.

Transported to A Pathway to Hope on Aug. 3, 2018 for adoption.

Known Issues & Progress

Dani is a sweet, laid back dog. So much so that I had to CARRY her out to the truck from Animal Control because she would not walk on a lead. She was up jumping on the door of her kennel and barking happily at me while I was on the other side of the door, but when I slipped inside with her she hunkered on the floor and got real quiet.
Once she settled in here at Piney Mountain, she came out of her shell and has become a friendly, playful dog. She still resists walking on a lead, but she does “come” when called and will go “In your room” for a treat. She enjoys rowdy play and racing around the play yard with other dogs. She gets along with everyone. She’s a little protective of her food.

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales or videos about Daenerys, click those to open the related story.

Dani is settling in nicely.

“NOooo, I’m staying in my safe place.”

Open door does not tempt Dani! “Noo, I’m staying.” (vid)

(video)
FEATURED VIDEO

(video)

She takes obedience of my commands to a new level! (vid)

One last play session for these two friends.

Waiting to board The Bus to Jersey!

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Lucky Steele

Lucky has had a colorful life, but her penchant for the free-footed lifestyle has cost her a home at least three times.
Last updated: June 18, 2018

Base Info:

Lucky
Lucky
  • Arrival date: May 31
  • Breed: Husky/Aussie mix
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: Approx. 1½ years
  • Weight: 36 pounds
  • Spay/Neutered: yes
  • General Health: Excellent
  • Temperament: Sweet, affectionate, gentle. Loves to be near her people.
  • Housebroken: Yes, and crate trained.
  • Good with People: Yes
  • Good with Dogs: Yes

History

Lucky was originally adopted from the Newport Humane Society Animal Shelter, just before they closed last year. But that family had trouble with her because Lucky likes to roam.

One day a woman, I’ll call her … Barbara: just so we have a name to work with here, arrived at Momma’s Kitchen for a meal. This is a restaurant built next to a gas station along a busy rural county highway. Barbara noticed Lucky wandering along side the road and was afraid she’d get hit by the flow of traffic.

Barbara inquired of the restaurant staff and they knew who Lucky belonged to. Barbara called the owner and was told, “That dog is always running off. I don’t want her.” So Barbara took Lucky home.

Barbara found Lucky a home with a man she knew. We’ll call him Lennie. Lennie spent around $300 on vaccinations, worming, tests, and a thorough exam, which turned up the fact that Lucky was pregnant.

Lennie brought Lucky back a week later. While Lucky is a sweet, lovable, and well behaved dog while someone is home with her she gets anxious when left alone and peed all over his home and chewed up some things. He wasn’t willing to crate her and work with her to resolve that issue and wanted her gone.

Barbara helped Lucky have 5 healthy puppies. Once they were weaned and placed in good homes, Barbara held onto Lucky as well as she could, but not having a fenced yard, Lucky was again roaming the area — which included a well trafficked road.

Lucky started visiting Barbara’s neighbors, Mike and Jeanne who are part of Steele Away Home – Canine Foster and Rescue, and they offered to help. Lucky had not been spayed yet and the last thing anyone wanted (aside from being hit by a car) was for her to get pregnant again.

Mike knows I have a fenced yard. He called to ask if there is any way we could squeeze one more in at our place. They sent pictures and a video. Look at that face, who could say, “No”?

Lucky was sent to A Pathway to Hope on June 29th for adoption.

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales about Lucky, click those to open the related story.

Lucky’s kennel is sanitized, stocked and ready for her.

Lucky waiting for me to open the door. “Let’s go in now.”

Lucky and Blondie sizing up each other. They were fine.

Lucky
Lucky meets Josie: that went well.

Lucky’s Favorite Thing Ever (vid)

Lucky and Josephine play (vid)

YOU FORGOT TO FEED ME! (vid)

Lucky becomes a house dog. (vid)

Lucky likes sleeping on her back.

Engaging in calm play with Josie.

Riding well on way to transport.
Bye, bye sweet girl!
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Foxy Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Although this young Husky looks a little rough at the moment, she is indeed one foxy lady! Even more so once I got her brushed out.
Last updated: May 18, 2018

Base Info:

Foxy
Foxy
  • Arrival date: April 24th, 2018
  • Breed: Husky
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: @ 1 year
  • Weight: @45 pounds
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Appears healthy. Has had her vaccinations and worming. HW test was negative.
  • Temperament: She’s SO sweet! A real snuggle-bug. Quite gentle.

History

Foxy was surrendered by her owner to Animal Control. She stated she had given Foxy away to two other families, both brought her back. That’s the factual information.

I would conjecture that this is yet another case of someone adopting a Husky pup because she was SO cute, but without knowing anything about Huskies. The pup was likely raised without any training until she got big enough to become a nuisance by being her bouncy, happy-go-lucky self. Then it’s “we have to get rid of this dog, she’s out of control” time.

And of course: it’s the DOG’S fault.

Fortunately N.A.C. recognized that Foxy would not do well in a shelter and called Steele Away Home. Jen already has her placed with a Husky rescue, I’ll work with her until that transport and Foxy will find a home where her people appreciate the strong, quirky personalities of these wonderful dogs.

Foxy went on rescue transport on May 18th for adoption

Known Issues & Progress

Rainy Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Rainy is an affectionate, attractive gal who is looking for a stable family to love.
Last updated: Aug 2, 2018

Base Info:

Rainy
Rainy
  • Arrival date: March 31, 2018
  • Breed: Husky mix
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: Approx. 2 years
  • Weight: Approx. 45 lbs
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes (tattoo found)
  • General Health: Excellent!
  • Temperament: Affectionate and obedient

History

Rainy came to Steele Away Home because the shelter she was at closed. Her first foster home handed her off because she killed their pet rabbit. Her second foster home handed her off because she got nasty with the other dogs in their all-in-home foster. She came here because we are set up to give some dogs their own space while they learn to get along with the others.

Rainy was transported to 3 Hearts 4 Paws on Aug 3 for adoption.

Known Issues & Progress

Rainy has taken to being moved around quite well.

She was Heartworm positive, has been treated, and is now fully recovered . She’s in great shape and likes to play with Callie and Josephine.

Rainy’s People Skills

She is sweet and affectionate with all people. She likes to snuggle. All afternoon long she was calm when we were together. This evening, when I took her a blanket for her dog house and to spend some time with her, she got a bit rowdy. I think she got excited thinking she was coming in the house. “Sorry, girl, Callie has the House Dog spot.”

As she has settled in here she has gotten more boisterous, but not unmanageably so. I am working to teach her not to jump up on people. She likes to give kisses and loves a belly rub.

Rainy is quite obedient to voice commands as we go between crate and the door (and back) vids below.

Gets Along With Other Dogs

Not so good at first. Rainy started out with issues about her personal space and especially in guarding food and treats.

These issues have been dealt with and Rainy is now a full-time house dog sharing space with 5 other dogs. Rainy eats in her crate only because she prefers to. The door is left open so she may leave when she’s done if she wants to. She prefers to sleep there at night too. This is her safe place (and it has a really cushy folded up quilt to lie on).

Outside, she likes to run and play with the others. I’ve had no trouble with her getting aggressive in play at all. Several vids below of her behaviors.

Housebreaking

She is housebroken.

Does not bark in the house but her vocalization is decidedly Husky. She sometimes gets conversational (vid below). When kenneled outside, she barks if there is something to bark at. Her first night here was a full-moon. Other dogs on the mountain were barking and the cows were bellowing like elephants. Lot’s to bark at, so we tried crating her inside. That first night went poorly, but she has since settled down and is good in her crate (vid below).

She does call me (Husky speak, not barking) when she needs to go outside, or wants to eat, or is lonely; otherwise she’s pleasantly quiet.

Miscellaneous

Rainy rides well in a vehicle. She loaded up readily and sat calmly as I drove on several trips. She rides behind the seats and makes no effort to force her way up front.

She is good on a leash.

When she arrived she did not seem to know any commands and did not respond to her name. By the end of her first afternoon she had “In your room” down pat. By her second day she will “come” when called regardless of far away she is (vid below). After 6 days we also have “sit” pretty well down. Now we are working on “paw”. She’s smart!

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales about this dog, click those to open the related story or video.

Camera shy

Casual Dining (video)

A good look at Rainy (video)

Snarking Callie (video)

Rainy
A Fast Learner! (video)

rainy
Meeting Cochise and Josephine (vid)

Too cold to stay out last night. Slept all night and is good while I fix breakfast.

Rainy has her own “room” in the den with me.

She is great at going out and coming in without a fuss. (vid)

Rainy is better at sharing space with the other dogs. (vid)

Napping with The Gang (vid)

Now what do I do?

Rainy and Foxy have their first play date. (vid)

The Three Amigos, these girls are a play group.

She could have hung out in the den with us, but she chose to keep Buddy, who is scared of thunder, company.
Rainy chooses to comfort Buddy during thunder.

Rainy has been food aggressive and would snap at other dogs who got to close to her crate while she was eating or chewing a bone. This is progress.
Buddy stole Rainy’s bone, and she’s okay with that!

Rainy
Rainy and her love affair with our sofa (vid)

Hello, I’m here to see the doctor!

I’m feeling a little nervous about this.

Recuperating after heartworm treatment

No longer food aggressive (vid)

Enjoys casual dining

Happy to share with a friend

Rainy joins The Girl Gang

So crate trained she even opens the door for herself (vid)

Rainy and Buddy tell me it’s time to dish up kibbles (vid)

My blonde bodyguards!
Rainy and Blondie confer on my security arrangements.

Who wants to go outside with me? (vid)

Weak … with … hunger.
Must feed me.

Rainy has her own “room” in the den with me.

The others sometimes envy Rainy’s bed. (vid)

Kitchen Supervisor.

Ready for movie: bring on the eats!

My blonde dog body guards.

SQUIRREL!

I think I’ll just sleep here tonight, okay?

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Lucy Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Lucy was traded to us for one of our foster dogs because Lucy liked to chase her former foster parent’s cat.

Last updated: March 12, 2018

Base Info:

  • Arrival date: February 24th, 2018
  • Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 1 year plus
  • Weight: 50 pounds
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes: Mar. 12, 2018
  • General Health: Good
  • Temperament: Good

History

Our rescue received a call from a woman in Morristown who found Lucy in the middle of a road and took her home. Lucy did not get along with her dog and was too strong for the lady to control. Lucy went into one of our foster homes, but wanted to eat their cats, and was too strong for her foster mom to handle. So she’s here now and I’ll see if I can’t help her settle in and accept her role in our pack.

Known Issues & Progress

When Lucy arrived here with her foster parents, she got along with me just fine. We made the trade, getting Sasha out of a pen, Lucy in, and Sasha loaded into their car. As they were leaving, I let Lucy out of the pen to explore the big play yard. She walked beside me calmly.

She caught sight of their car as it descended our long driveway that runs beside the play yard. She looked at me, looked back at the car, then started whimpering! She ducked her head, tucked her tail, and slunk back to the pen. When I approached, she started barking at me with vehemence. She has since been doing her best to chew through the fencing or dig out and barks threateningly at me when I approach.

Feb 26th: By Saturday evening I was able to get Lucy to let me come into her pen and chat with her. We are friends now. On Sunday she wanted to crawl into my lap and snuggle.

People Skills

Once she got past her hurt over being moved again she has been sweet and friendly. She knows her name, comes on command, sits, shakes (paw), has learned, “In your room”. During play time she likes to race around at full speed. Sometimes she involves me in her play, not always gently. Once we became friends, she did come over while I was sitting in a chair outside and draped herself across my lap so she could snuggle a bit and I could pet her. She seems sweet, now that she’s no longer angry.

Gets Along With Other Dogs

She has dominance issues with some other dogs. She has given her neighbor, Kringle, no problems and she has been in the yard with Buddy (a senior beagle). They got along fine. All of my gang have been out to touch noses with Lucy through her fencing, no harsh words were exchanged.

Lucy insists on intimidating Josephine. That makes Josie anxious and she just wants to go inside, away from Lucy. This is unusual as Josie gets along with and wants to play with EVERYONE, even dogs much bigger than her.

Lucy tries to intimidate Callie too. There is no aggression in this, body language that relays the idea of “I am boss, you knuckle under”. Both Callie and Josie capitulate and want to escape.

Housebreaking

I’m told she is fully house-broken and crate trained. She won’t becoming into our house because we already have FIVE dogs (Blondie and Cochise are 90 pounders) in our little house and that’s too many as it is.

Miscellaneous

Lucy likes to chase cats a little too much.

Lucy has some separation anxiety issues. She settles down once her person (currently, me) is out of sight, but as I’m leaving or if I’m playing with another dog she acts out in a fit that is rough on chain link, could be disastrous to a home. Our Retriever brand transport box crates do hold her at night, so crating while away is an option.

She calms down and is lovey once she has my undivided attention.

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales or videos about Lucy, click those to open the related story.

Rainy day play time – with Josie (Video)

Lucy DOES love a belly rub!

During a break, Lucy snuggles in for a back scratch.

Lucy likes to stay close. She gives kisses too.

Going for a truck ride headed for surgery

Unhappy about cone after spay.

Angel Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Angel transferred here from another foster home because she was not getting over her fears and is badly stressed out which affects her behavior.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2018

Base Info:

  • Date Arrived: January 13, 2018
  • Breed: Beagle/Shepherd mix
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 8 Months at original admission
  • Weight: approx. 55 pounds
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Good
  • Temperament: Good. She’s a blend of active and submissive. I suspect she’d been mistreated when young.
  • Departure: Angel left on Rescue February 16, 2018

History

Set out beside a road outside a campground.

Known Issues & Progress

All I know about her so far is that she has been frightened of people and destructive of household furnishings and personal accessories. I will be working on building trust with her to get her past these issues.

Housebreaking

No major incidents in the Bunkhouse. She has peed on the floor a couple of times but that’s because she needed to “go” and she was stressing over my attempts to get a leash clipped to her collar. Nothing deliberate. As she’s learned my routine she is not stressing over things.

She does well with her crate. She likes to get outside, but is eager to get back to her “room” in the evening: partly because it’s getting chilly . She doe not like cold. She is rough on her bedding, she does well with a good blanket but anything quilted or fiber-filled (like a pillow) is history. She IS still a puppy.

Gets Along With Other Dogs

I was told she got along with other dogs. Observations of her interacting with my dogs (through a fence) and with Mystery (her roomie in the bunkhouse) is that she is benign and submissive.

01/14 This evening Angel and Buddy were in the yard together. She invited him to play and they had a great time chasing one another.

01/17 I took Angel and Mystery out together this morning. I was late, they were desperate, so I took a chance. They took off and chased each other through the snow for about 15 minutes (pausing momentarily now and then to relieve themselves) before they both came, panting and licking the snow, back to the gate to the bunkhouse. We all went in, they each got a big drink of water and went back to their crates for breakfast. Angel demanded a belly rub before she’d go into the crate, but otherwise was cooperative.

See Angel and Aggression video in the gallery below.

People Skills

Angel was, reportedly, frightened of people. She and I are getting along fine. She always seems happy to see me. We’ve had little other people traffic out here lately to test her on.

01/17 As she’s becoming more comfortable here she is coming out of her shell and becoming more rambunctious. She wiggles around so much I have a hard time getting a leash clipped to her collar, and she pulls really hard. I’m shopping for another Walk-Right harness. We have two but they’re both in use.

01/22 Harness arrived. It makes a big difference in walking her. Because she chews things up when bored I take the harness off before crating her.

Miscellaneous

Angel has become quite friendly and eager for attention. A belly rub usually puts her into a blissful stupor!

She is still destructive of bedding because she’s high-strung and gets bored easily (the Shepherd part of her). When weather allows (it IS January) I get her out to run in the yard with another dog as often as possible to wear her out (see Angels Play Day below).

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales about Angel, click those to open the related story.

Upon arrival Angel kept her tail tucked and her head ducked.

That tail is up and she’s making friends.

Angel doing her famous Lizard Run

Hugging or wrestling – depends on the intensity!

Happy about yard time

Angel and Aggression
Click for Vid

The next day I let Angel play in the yard with her roomie Mystery:

On a particularly nice day, she got an extended play session.

Resting after a busy play time.

Enjoying a sunny day

Conversation with her friend Callie

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